Foundations Jan 8, 2011

Saturday, January 8, 2011
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Hosea 11-14 and Revelation 1-2

SCRIPTURE READING

Psalm 36:8 You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. (NKJV)
 

The pleasures of God are a banquet set before us, a table of spiritual delights that once
tasted; deliver us from the emptiness of seeking earthly pleasure. The way to free the heart
from the domination of sin is by delighting in God. Holiness is a superior pleasure that
transcends anything that sin can offer us.
Holiness is not the result of gritting our teeth as we set our hearts to resist sin. If we try
to fight sin primarily with prohibition we will fail. Throughout history the church has tried
to create endless lists of threats and warnings of the consequences of sin. Clearly, the
Word of God teaches about the consequences of deliberate, sinful rebellion. The Bible
is full of don’ts and prohibitions but these laws and rules were never designed by God to
supernaturally transform the human heart. Shame and fear traditionally have not been the
best motivators. It is important to warn people of the consequences of sin but rarely does
that in itself result in holiness.
We sin because it provides us with immediate pleasure. We sin because we believe that
it will provide a pleasure that is superior to the pleasure of obeying God. The power of
temptation is a deceptive promise that sin will bring more satisfaction than living for God.
We will only win the battle of temptation as we enjoy God. The secret to conquering sin is
satisfaction in God.
Psalm 16:11 In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures
forevermore (NKJV)

PRAYER and MEDITATION

1. Is the concept of freeing the heart from the domination of sin by delighting in God new to
    you? How does it make you feel?
2. How does the idea that you can experience pleasure that is superior to sin, as a result of
    your relationship with God make you feel?
3. Thank God that He is showing you that the road to lasting freedom comes from having
    a deep and intimate relationship with Him. Thank Him that we can be delivered from the
    emptiness of seeking earthly pleasure and find pleasure in Him